At a glance

With stunning views out to sea towards the iconic St Michael's Mount, this immaculately presented two bedroom apartment is centrally located above the harbour in this historic seaside town. Entered through its own front door via a communal roof garden, The Master's Retreat has a spacious open plan sitting room and kitchen with French doors leading out to a good sized private terrace; a perfect spot for enjoying the amazing views.

With a double and twin bedroom there is plenty of space for couples or families alike and with the convenience of private parking this is a great holiday home for exploring West Cornwall with Mousehole, Marazion and St Ives all close by. Penzance itself is steeped in history and offers many shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants which can be found wandering through its historic streets.

Sitting/dining/kitchen area

L-shaped sofa, two seater sofa, dining table and four chairs, gas effect fire, open plan kitchen with electric oven and hob, fridge with ice box, washing machine, French doors out to private terrace.

Bedroom 1

double bed, window out to communal roof terrace.

Bedroom 2

twin beds, window out to communal roof terrace.

Bathroom

bath with shower over, WC, basin.

Outside areas

private terrace with table and four chairs, additionally the apartment is accessed from a large secure communal roof garden.

Additional information

gas central heating, steep incline and steps up to the communal roof garden may mean it is not suitable for those with limited mobility, WiFi, short breaks available.

Great accommodation and location - ideally placed for both the town and coastal walks.

Miss ClarkeJune 2018

Lovely decor and furnishings, very comfortable and relaxing. Great location and balcony views of harbour and sea.

Penzance

On a sunny day, St. Michael’s Mount, Mount's Bay and Penzance seafront might be mistaken for the Mediterranean. Sitting in the corner of a sheltered and attractive bay, the town has been a popular resort since the Napoleonic wars when the wealthier English people were cut off from the continent and searched closer to home for fresh air and the newly-discovered benefits of sea-bathing. The temperature in Penzance is always a little warmer than elsewhere; sub-tropical plants grow well in Morrab Gardens and in the gardens on St. Michael’s Mount.

Penzance Holidays

Penzance is great for short breaks out of season and there are many boating trips from the harbour that will take you to explore the West Coast from the sea. Due to its excellent road and rail links, holidays in Penzance offer something for everyone; beaches, rock pools, coastal path walking, National Trust and English Heritage sites, restaurants and galleries. The town has plenty of car parks that offer a weekly stay from £30.

Penzance has secret treats; if you take the time to explore. For a start it’s a good town for walking. The very best way to see Penzance is by the alleys and walkways, the through-lanes from here to there. Take a day to explore the town this way and you will discover its beautiful parks, its Regency and Georgian architecture.

Penzance: 'Montpelier' of Cornwall

The oldest part of town is the quayside at Penzance’s Inner Harbour. The Dry Dock, Quay Street, Battery Rocks. The original promenade was built in 1844.

You can walk Penzance Promenade from Battery Rocks to Wherrytown, where there is one of two Penzance skateparks. From Wherrytown, keep to the seafront across Newlyn Green and you are in Newlyn. In all a 30 minute stroll, depending how long Jnr. wants to spend skateboarding. There is also a proper-job boating pool at Wherrytown for sailing those radio-controlled (and sail-driven) boats that just don’t get anywhere in the bath at home.

The arrival of the railway in 1852 made the ‘Montpelier of England’ (John Betjeman 1964 Shell Guide) even more accessible.

Many interesting boats visit Mounts Bay, from the surreal floating yacht-hotels to mighty ships like the four-masted windjammer, Kruzenshtern. There is a Sailing Club and The Mounts Bay Lugger Association which, as its name suggests, celebrates the beauty of the Cornish Lugger, a traditional fishing boat.

Penzance has two harbour-side pubs: The Dock Inn and The Dolphin. The Dolphin is reputedly the first place in Britain where tobacco was smoked and the hanging judge, Judge Jefferies, is reputed to have held court here in the 1700s after the Monmouth Rebellion.

Things to do near Penzance

Stay self catering in Penzance and you’re perfectly situated to explore the surrounding towns and villages with their own individual characters. Literally minutes from Penzance is the fishing port of Newlyn whilst a little further on you’ll find the quaint village of Mousehole with its harbourside bistro and community atmosphere. Take a stroll along the coast to Marazion beach or venture in the opposite direction to the beautiful Lamorna Cove. For more ideas, check out our blog post on Days out around Penzance.

Things to do in Penzance

The Jubilee PoolThis beautiful art-deco open-air bathing pool is the UK’s largest seawater lido. There is also an excellent cafe. The pool opens from the end of May until September. Even in winter, some hardy year-round swimmers use battery rocks (just north of Jubilee Pool) for their daily dip!

Morrab GardenA sub-tropical garden with Victorian fountains and a band-stand, which still plays host to concerts in the summer. The Morrab Library sits in the gardens and is an absolute joy. The photographic archives and collections are wonderful.

Penlee ParkFull of tress and squirrels, there is a specific dog-free and child-friendly play-park within the park. Penzance Tennis Club abuts the park and Penlee House Art Gallery & Museum (with excellent cafe) sits opposite the Penlee open-air theatre and is home to a large collection of Newlyn School paintings.

Shopping in PenzanceMarket Jew Street is the main high street and like all high streets, it is in the process of adapting to new out of town shopping habits. However not all town centres have the beautiful granite terrace and arcade steps, the iron railings; or retain the architecture of previous generations above the modern shop frontages. There are many Georgian and early Victorian facades just above eye-level in Penzance.

Causewayhead leads up from the town centre. A pedestrianised street, this is Penzance's third main retail street. Half way up is the Savoy cinema, said to be the oldest continually running cinema in the British Isles.

Eating outPenzance self catering holidays are perfect; Chapel Street leads up from the harbour to the town centre where you will find a range of restaurants and pubs as well as independent shops and houses of historic interest and importance. Lavenders Deli on Alverton Street is perfect for stocking up on treats for your holiday cottage. Check out our blog on places to eat in Marazion for ideas on where to refuel during your self catering holiday in Penzance. Or if you fancy a restaurant with spectacular views, The Bay in Penzance is the place to go. Read more on our blog: Restaurants with the best views in West Cornwall.

Mousehole Christmas Lights

Possibly the most well-known and popular Christmas Lights in the county, Moushole combines stunning displays against the backdrop of their gorgeous Cornish fishing harbour to bring real festive magic to all who visit at this special time of year.

Tom Bawcock's Eve, Mousehole

The tradition of Tom Bawcock comes from the feast or famine lifestyle of Cornwall. The story goes that it was just before Christmas; there had been no fish for weeks, the boats couldn’t get out into the raging storm, the village was starving. One man, Tom Bawcock, dared to take his boat out of the harbour’s safety. He returned with enough fish to make fish pie for the whole village.

Today, a festival takes place each year to celebrate Tom Bawcock's bravery. During the festival, Star Gazey pies are eaten in memory of this famous event.

St Ives Feast Day

Held on the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of St Eia in 1434 AD, Feast Day offers visitors to witness - and even join in with - some centuries-old traditions. A morning precesison led by the Mayor to bless the Well of St Eia. Following this, the Mayor will 'Hurls the Silver Ball' into a crowd of children who assemble on the beach below. The one who returns the ball to the Guildhall steps by midday receives a silver coin. In the afternoon the Mayor then throw pennies from the balcony of the Guildhall for children to collect.

Porthleven Food & Music Festival

The small Cornish fishing village of Porthleven hosts its annual Food & Music Festival every April and encorporates street performers, a range of local produce, Samba dancing, theatre, beer marquees, hip-hop dancers, fireworks, Cornish singing & much, much mmore...the list is endless!

St Ives Food & Drink Festival

Golowan Festival - Penzance

Golowan Festival is an annual community arts event that celebrates local culture and the social and natural environment. 'Mazey Day' takes place on the Saturday of the festival and guarantees to be a very colourful affair!

St Ives Bay Helicopter Tours

For two weeks only, Adventure 001, supporters of Cornwall Air Ambulance, will be bringing their helicopter experiences to St Ives! Choose from a 6 minute flight from £35 to a 30 minute flight from £96 and take in the incredible views across St Ives bay and beyond!

Hayle Fest

Newlyn Fish Festival

Newlyn Fish Festival is the biggest and best of its kind in the UK. Taste some of the finest seafood on offer and enjoy cookery demonstrations, live music and arts and crafts. Local fishmongers take part in the The Cornish fishmonger of the year competition and the popular 'Fishy Trail' is perfect to keep the kids entertained.

Penzance Literary Festival

Popular with visitors and locals alike, this exciting festival celebrates everything literary, including spoken, written, recited and sung word. Take part in the reading and writing discussions and activities and enjoy the many performances.

What our guests say...

We love hearing about our guests’ experiences, and we know how important honest reviews are when it comes to booking your holiday. To help you choose the right property for you, we publish all reviews left by guests who have stayed here in the past, with the few exceptions stated in our Review Guidelines.

Great accommodation and location - ideally placed for both the town and coastal walks.

Miss ClarkeJune 2018

Lovely decor and furnishings, very comfortable and relaxing. Great location and balcony views of harbour and sea.

Ms DevrellMay 2018

Views and location, what more could you want! A delightful company to deal with, have used many others and this has by far been the best service we’ve received. Will be coming back again!

Miss OrchardApril 2018

Masters Retreat is ideally located for exploring and has fabulous views from the balcony. The apartment is mainly well equipped and has the added bonus of a parking space. We would definitely return and would look at other properties managed by Aspects Holidays.

Mr WorrallMarch 2018

The Masters Retreat is basic but you get what you pay for. The view from the balcony over the harbour and Mount's Bay compensates but the used discarded condoms on the entrance steps don't give a good first impression.

Mr StrippFebruary 2018

Reply from Aspects Holidays

We are so sorry to hear of this less than pleasant sight on arrival! Quite honestly, we have not heard of anything like this before, so hope that this was a one off, but we are so sorry that you had to arrive to that. Tanya, Customer Services

Lovely warm clean flat in a great location with lovely view. Would stay there again.

Mr WilliamsJanuary 2018

Great place to stay home from home

Ms BartlettOctober 2017

Masters Retreat was in an excellent position overlooking the harbour and St Michael's Mount. The views were outstanding. It was also in an ideal central position both for all amenities and being able to walk to Marazion and Mousehole.

Mrs HouldenJune 2017

Great location
Fantastic view

Ms BartlettFebruary 2017

1) Very central location close to amenities and transport. 2) Lovely views 3) quiet location - though located on main steet, the street noises did not seem to reach the apartment, possibly due to it's high elevation above street level 3) Would definitely stay in this apartment again - was delightfully clean and situated in a well kept, gated development ( most appeared to be owner occupied) and patrolled by security.

Mrs PoulsenOctober 2016

Felt like home from home, with the added bonus of a spectacular view of St Michaels Mount. After long walks in the bracing sea air it was great to come back to a warm and extremely comfortable flat.

Mrs AllittNovember 2015

We use Aspects a lot and Maria in the PZ office was very pleasant and helpful this time around.

Mr BennettOctober 2015

Wonderful, light and airy apartment. Lovely views and a great location very close to the bus and train stations. Using the comprehensive public transport is an easy way to travel around this beautiful part of the country.

Ms WeaverSeptember 2015

As well as having attractive decor and being very well equipped, all instructions for appliances were together in a folder - really helpful and organised. It was a very nice touch to have scones and tea waiting in the table on arrival. Appreciated the information folder with useful details about the location and recommendations for where to eat out. Wonderful views of the bay and St Michaels Mount and a really convenient location for all the facilities of Penzance including easy access to the bus and railway station.